Gary Locke has become a minor celebrity in China for his modest, unassuming lifestyle, drawing the apparent ire of state-run outlets

U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke walks out of his residence with his family before speaking to the media in Beijing / Reuters

It scarcely seems possible, but apparently some Chinese commentators
are put out that the U.S. ambassador has garnered so much favorable
press in his first month on the job. In recent days, the Chinese media
have published a number of commentariescriticizing
not only the ambassador but also some of their fellow journalists, who
they believe are paying too much attention to Ambassador Locke's
activities. Stripped to its essence, the criticism of Ambassador Locke
is that he is a nice guy, who is simply too good at representing U.S.
values. It would be laughable, if it didn't point to a real challenge
in the Sino-American relationship.

"A U.S. ambassador becoming a political star in China cannot be interpreted as U.S. respect for China."

The trouble began as soon as the ambassador was nominated. Anonymous postings on various Internet chat sites in China accused him
of being a "fake foreign devil who cannot even speak Chinese" and a
"guy who has forgotten his ancestors." Traitor was not an uncommon
epithet.

Yet when the ambassador arrived, the tide appeared to turn. A series of candid photos
of the ambassador with his family--carrying their own luggage, riding in
a minivan, and flying economy class -elicited a tidal wave of positive
media and popular attention. An Air China attendant reported:
"Yesterday Ambassador Locke took our plane en route to Beijing. He
refused to be on the VIP traveler list, turned down a seat in the first
class, and passed up an arranged ride home. Sitting in the economy
class, he was polite and low-key." This comment was reposted 25,000
times, with netizens frequently mentioning the need for Chinese
officials to learn from the ambassador's behavior.

Now the ambassador appears to be caught in the midst of a political
firestorm, albeit not one of his own making. A series of offensive
commentaries have popped up over the past weeks accusing him of all
forms of evil intent: newscaster Rui Chenggang, after directing a rude question to the ambassador at the WEF in Dalian a few weeks ago, wrote
that the ambassador is "promoting American values," and only talking
about what is good about the United States. The Guangming Daily warned
the Chinese people not to be "seduced by Gary Locke's façade"...after
all, who is to say that it "isn't the intention of the U.S. to use a
Chinese to control the Chinese and incite political chaos in China." And
most recently, the Global Times has joined the fray, arguing
that it is "unbelievable that Locke's casual stroll through hutongs
with his family could win so much praise." Moreover, a "U.S. ambassador
should devote himself to the relationship between China and the U.S.
rather than play a role in Chinese media. A U.S. ambassador becoming a
political star in China cannot be interpreted as U.S. respect for
China."

Back in the day, these media commentaries would have been the end of
the story. With the Internet, however, the Chinese people have the
opportunity to talk back. And talk they have, with many continuing to
praise the ambassador as a model for Chinese officials and some pointing
out that such articles merely reveal a fear of America's values and
institutions. As the Guangming Daily article, itself, pointed out: "If
the Chinese regime fails to take the initiative to consciously remove
the virus in its bureaucracy...it can only watch Locke winning the hearts
of the Chinese people."

The post of U.S. ambassador to China has long been filled by some of
America's most talented diplomats and/or closest presidential
confidantes. It is a sign of respect to China that this is the case. If
the Chinese government would rather the U.S. not continue this
tradition, it should let Washington know. We have plenty of sub-par
politicians, political hacks, and indicted officials we can send their
way.

This article originally appeared at CFR.org, an Atlantic partner site.

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